ABC Slates Prime-Time Special on Robin Roberts’ Journey

ABC announced plans for a special focusing on the battle of “Good Morning America” co-host Robin Roberts against the rare blood disorder myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Roberts returned this morning to her “GMA” job, five months after undergoing a bone marrow transplant to treat her MDS.

“The hour includes never-before-seen private moments beginning with the pre-transplant treatment, through her time in the hospital, to the ‘all clear’ moment to return to ‘GMA’ and many challenging times and milestones along the way,” ABC News announced.

Diane Sawyer will sit down for an interview with Roberts to reflect on the events of the past year. Also taking part in the special will be colleagues and friends including George Stephanopoulos, Sam Champion, Josh Elliott, Lara Spencer and Dr. Richard Besser.

5 Comments

Now do not take this the wrong way. I absolutely love Robbin Roberts! Her story has been very inspirational for many people.
With that said, I tend to wonder if ABC has exploited this for ratings gain? It has definitely kept people glued to “GMA” throughout her illness, but am I the only person who is feeling that “enough is enough” already?

Now do not take this the wrong way. I absolutely love Robbin Roberts! Her story has been very inspirational for many people.
With that said, I tend to wonder if ABC has exploited this for ratings gain? It has definitely kept people glued to “GMA” throughout her illness, but am I the only person who is feeling that “enough is enough” already?

I was thinking the same thing. Typical homogenization and marketing techniques would allow for this type of “crap” to ensue. The Mickey Mouse company seems to be all that. They want social buzz and people to be aware of the show, at all costs. This is exactly I stopped watching Morning newscasts in the morning. Now it had translated into ALL newscasts. I am also leaning towards not watching any prime-time TV. But then again, I’m not a “Low-Information viewer,” who9 puts up with this and keeps the TV, during it…. so my cable company catches what is being “watched” for Neilson Ratings. By the way, that is 90% of the reason they are catering to the low-info crowd.
NO you are not. You may not be as sensitive to it, but definitely not the only one!
I also wish Robin well. However, they are using her situation. I think that’s horrible, and lacks good taste. Just whatI expect from “Modern” media, in all forms.

If Robin did not want to do it ABC would not make her. Robin has a lot of fans and airing a one-hour special to offer those fans what they want – an inside and personal look at her ordeal – and giving updates on her progress on GMA is hardly exploiting her situation for ratings. It is keeping her fans and followers up to date on her progress. If her illness is taking too long for you two then you know where the “off” button is on your remote.

I already knew. As stated. Facebook has updated, all of the ABC newscasts had kept everyone updated. It’s not only overkill, Sadie… It ABC marketing during rating sweeps to get cheap ratings. And yes, as a person in the same exact industry…. you do what you are told, or simply not work. That is the new nature of our business. I’m sure Robin loves the attention, as most TV anchors do, since it boosts their egos. Unless you are in the business “Sadie,” you cannot tel us for sure that “she wouldn’t do it” and that it is “a progress update.” That is only being ignorant to what the media is doing to you… making you a lower information viewer than you already are.